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Inter Miami Expects Revenue to Double with Lionel Messi Arrival
Inter Miami's Revenues to Soar
Major League Soccer's newest star, Lionel Messi, is already making a significant impact on Inter Miami. According to Jorge Mas, the managing owner of the club, Messi's arrival is expected to double the team's revenues over the next year. This massive boost in revenue could potentially increase the club's valuation to a staggering $1.3 to $1.5 billion, up from its current estimate of $600 million. Mas emphasized that when they embarked on the project of Inter Miami, their goal was to become the top football platform in the United States.
The Messi Effect
The process of bringing Messi to Miami began in 2019 when co-owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham flew to Barcelona to meet with Messi's father. Mas believes that Messi has the opportunity to truly change the sport, and he is already witnessing the tremendous "Messi effect" in both commercial aspects and the South Florida community. Messi jerseys are in high demand, with Adidas working around the clock to print them, and ticket prices for his U.S. debut are averaging nearly $1,300 on secondary platforms like TicketIQ. Fanatics, a sports e-commerce platform, predicts that Messi could set a new record for the most jerseys sold by a player joining a new team in any sport within 24 hours.
Elevating Major League Soccer
Mas hopes that the buzz and excitement surrounding Messi's arrival will help elevate Major League Soccer to compete with top-notch European leagues. He believes it is crucial for himself, his partners in MLS, and fellow team owners to seize the opportunity and work towards making MLS a strong competitor to the Premier League. With Messi's star power and the increased attention on Inter Miami, the future looks promising for soccer in the United States.
Messi's Arrival and its Potential Impact on New Businesses
The arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami has the potential to create a significant ripple effect in the world of soccer and beyond, offering valuable insights for new sports businesses and others across various sectors. The boost in revenue that Inter Miami expects to experience is not just limited to the club itself but also extends to the surrounding business ecosystem.
The "Messi effect" has already demonstrated its power in commercial aspects, with heightened demands for Messi jerseys and skyrocketing ticket prices for his U.S. debut. This surge in interest and enthusiasm presents an opportunity for new businesses to capitalize on the hype. The sales of merchandise, such as jerseys, could see a substantial increase, providing a chance for e-commerce platforms to tap into this market demand. Additionally, ancillary services related to game days, such as transportation, hospitality, and food vendors, could witness a surge in demand as soccer fans flock to Inter Miami games to witness Messi in action.
Furthermore, Messi's arrival has the potential to elevate Major League Soccer to new heights, making it a more formidable competitor to top European leagues. This increased competitiveness and attention on American soccer can lead to greater brand exposure and sponsorship opportunities not only for Inter Miami but also for other teams within the league. New businesses in the sports and entertainment industry can leverage this newfound attention to establish partnerships, secure sponsorship deals, and expand their reach to a wider audience.
Overall, the impact of Messi's arrival at Inter Miami reaches far beyond the club itself. It serves as an inspiration for new businesses to embrace ambition, seize opportunities, and ride the wave of enthusiasm and excitement that a marquee signing can bring. By staying agile and capitalizing on the heightened interest in soccer, new businesses can position themselves for success and growth in the evolving landscape of American sports and entertainment.
Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/18/lionel-messi-signing-to-double-inter-miami-revenue-owner-says.html